“Nineteen people, including members of Al-Qaeda and Ansar al-Sunna, fled from prison in Kirkuk at around 3:30 am (0030 GMT),” a security official said. The escapees apparently drugged guards and fellow inmates using poisoned dates that put them to sleep and then climbed out of a window using sheets tied together.

Of the 19, two were sentenced to death and the 17 faced various accusations including murder and being members of al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups that have launched attacks against the U.S. occupation. Security forces have launched a manhunt in Kirkuk.